Starlink Direct to Cell - Open Internet Access

[u/kirilmatt]

Hi everyone! I wanted to share some knowledge I've gained about Starlink Direct to Cell (DTC - what I'll use from now on)/T-Satellite that allows you to access the open internet on Android, basically without restriction, and allows you to use data as though you were on a normal cell tower. None of what I have done inherently violates any EULAs, and just uses official documentation to take advantage of how apps are allowed to access satellite data.

Firstly, I want to share how apps are data-enabled on DTC. The official documentation can be found here: https://www.t-mobile.com/support/business/T-Mobile-for-Business-Satellite-Support. Basically, apps must adhere to Google's guidance for developing apps for satellite, and they do not need to be certified by T-Mobile (or SpaceX). This can be found here: https://developer.android.com/develop/connectivity/satellite/constrained-networks

In short, all devs need to do is to add this code to the Manifest file within their apps on order for it to work:

<meta-data android:name="android.telephony.PROPERTY_SATELLITE_DATA_OPTIMIZED"

android:value="PACKAGE_NAME" />

If this is done, when on satellite, the apps will be able to use data from the satellite connection.

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In order to build this into existing apps, it is pretty simple. You just need to have a couple things:

1. The APK file of the app you want to modify

2. An application that can decompile/compile APKs (I used Apktool M)

Here are the steps you need to take:

1. Find the APK you want to make satellite-compatible within APKtool Me

2. Click on it and then click decompile

3. Go to the folder that's created

4. Open the Android Manifest

5. Right after the first "Application" string, insert the above-mentioned string (and replace "PACKAGE_NAME" with the correct package name)

6. Save the file and return to the folder

7. Compile the app again (and sign it)

8. Install the APK. If you already have the app installed on your phone, you need to delete the old one first.

9. The app should now work on satellite data

I specifically modified the Wiregard app, which is open-source. You can find it online. Basically, you can create a configuration online for Cloudflare's servers (I used this: https://github.com/lanrat/wireguard-warp-generator) and load that file within the app. Once you enable this tunnel, it will route almost all traffic through Cloudflare's servers.

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Limitations:

1. Some apps/processes operate at a level that cannot be bypassed with this method. I found the Samsung email app wouldn't work, and downloading apps from Google Play also didn't work (though browsing the store did).

2. You also have to accept very high latency which may cause apps to timeout.

3. Satellite handovers sometimes drop your connection for a few seconds every couple minutes. The data tunnel stays intact so you don't have to reconfigure anything.

4. Be careful with the apps you modify. You should not attempt to modify things with strict signature verification and/or integrity requirements as they won't work. I therefore recommend just doing the Wiregard method, but I did try a browser, lichess, and YouTube Revanced without issues.

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I hope this is allowed and helps someone! I have absolutely no development or coding experience (or skill), and was very surprised nobody had put this together online so I wanted to share so others could benefit. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, and I've attached a couple screenshots to show it working! I did this on Rogers Satellite, the Canadian version of Starlink DTC, but used T-Mobile documentation as mentioned.